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Charges filed against man in hit-and-run with bicyclist

Posted on Sep 10, 2009 at 8:44 a.m.

Jennifer Walla of Fargo, who suffered cuts, scrapes and a leg injury, holds the bike helmet she was wearing when she was the victim in a hit-and-run accident Saturday near Harwood, N.D.
Dave Wallis / The Forum

Jennifer Walla said she was relieved to hear Wednesday that authorities had identified the man responsible for the August hit-and-run accident that sent her to the hospital.

"I'm so thankful to everyone," she said.

Charges have been filed against Troy A. Greenlund, 39, of Harwood, N.D., said Mark Boening, an assistant Cass County state's attorney.

Walla was bicycling on County Road 81 north of Harwood about 9:30 p.m. Aug. 29 when Greenlund allegedly hit her with his vehicle and fled the scene.

Greenlund is charged with a Class C felony - leaving the scene of a crash involving serious personal injury - which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine, Boening said.

Several attempts made by The Forum to contact Greenlund on Wednesday were unsuccessful.

State court records show Greenlund pleaded guilty in late July for driving under the influence while accompanied by a minor.

Meanwhile, Walla said she was contacted earlier Wednesday by Greenlund's insurance company, with an offer to pay for her medical bills.

The 28-year-old Fargo woman, who doesn't have health insurance, was treated for a concussion, twisted ankle and a laceration on the back of her head following the accident.

"I'm so relieved," Walla said. "I'm going to find out what's going on with the insurance and then schedule a return check-up for my back."

Authorities said Greenlund has cooperated with their investigation and will not be arrested.

Boening said the state's attorney's office decided that because of Greenlund's cooperation, he would be issued a summons to appear in court.

Investigators decided Greenlund was the person responsible for the accident because an outside rearview mirror at the scene matched to Greenlund's car, said Capt. Rick Majerus of the Cass County Sheriff's Department.

"He's been cooperative," Majerus said. "We don't really want to get into our investigative techniques, but there's been no problem that way."

Boening did not know Wednesday evening when Greenlund would appear in court for the charge.